Eosinophil-associated diseases: the allergist's and clinical immunologist's perspective.

Summary: Eosinophil-associated diseases (EADs) refer to heterogeneous conditions in which eosinophils are believed to play critical pathological roles. They encompass common respiratory conditions, such as asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), less common primary eosinophilic disorders of gastrointestinal tract, and rare conditions including eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) and hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES). A literature search was carried out in January 2024 in the MEDLINE and Scopus databases using the PubMed search engine (PubMed, National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD). We focused on blood eosinophilia and hypereosinophilia. A diagnostic workup is proposed. From allergist's point of view, we focused the review on 4 groups of eosinophilic disorders of specific interest. Our increased understanding of type 2 inflammation and biology has recently led to development of highly effective precision targeted therapies that are now approved for a growing number of eosinophilic disorders. Novel targeted biologics have a major impact on treatment strategies and have resulted in major advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis of these disorders. In the context of EADs, according to the heterogeneity of eosinophilic disorders a multidisciplinary approach should be adopted. Allergists and Clinical Immunologists play an important role as they have a clear understanding of the eosinophilic inflammation and the role of cytokines and are trained to recognize and characterize type 2 (T2) inflammation and its associated pathologies.

Eosinophilic esophagitis as a side-effect of allergen immunotherapy: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Summary: Background. Sensitization to food and airborne allergens is common in the majority of patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). Although there is not a direct cause-effect relationship of IgE-mediated allergy with the pathogenesis of EoE, there is a growing evidence that oral desensitization to food and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) may induce the development of EoE as an adverse effect. As part of the 'EoE and Allergen Immunotherapy (AIT)' Task Force funded by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), a systematic approach will be followed to review the evidence from the published scientific literature on the development of EoE in children and adults under any type of AIT. Methods. This systematic review will be carried out following the PRISMA statement guidelines. Studies will be assessed for inclusion in the review according to the Population-Interventions-Comparators-Outcomes (PICO) criteria. Results. Expected outcomes will provide evidence on the AIT-EoE development connection. Conclusions. The findings from this review will be used as a reference to provide useful guidelines for physicians treating patients with EoE and/or are practicing AIT.

Shifts in δ15 N signature following the onset of exogenous feeding in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss: importance of combining length and age data.

The δ(15) N isotopic change of recently emerged rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss due to diet shift from yolk sac to exogenous feeding was evaluated in a field study. The fit of a general model including both fish length and age in days as co-variables indicates that the specific δ(15) N of individual fish at any given time along the ontogeny is determined by its growth trajectory. The results suggest that estimations based on fish size alone could bias data interpretation and maternal origin determinations in partially migratory salmonids.

The invasion of Patagonia by Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha): inferences from mitochondrial DNA patterns.

The Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, which was introduced deliberately in Chile four decades ago for sport fishing and aquaculture, represents a rare example of a successful translocation of an anadromous Pacific salmon into the southern Hemisphere, offering a unique opportunity to examine the role of introduction history and genetic variability in invasion success. We used historical information and mitochondrial displacement loop sequences (D-loop) from seven colonized sites in Chile and Argentina and from native and naturalized Chinook salmon populations to determine population sources and to examine levels of genetic diversity associated with the invasion. The analysis revealed that the Chinook salmon invasion in Patagonia originated from multiple population sources from northwestern North America and New Zealand, and admixed in the invaded range generating genetically diverse populations. Genetic analyses further indicated that the colonization of new populations ahead of the invasion front appear to have occurred by noncontiguous dispersal. Dispersal patterns coincided with ocean circulation patterns dominated by the West Wind Drift and the Cape Horn Currents. We conclude that admixture following multiple introductions, as well as long-distance dispersal events may have facilitated the successful invasion and rapid dispersal of Chinook salmon into Patagonia.

LDL physical properties, lipoprotein and Lp(a) levels in acromegalic patients. Effects of octreotide therapy. Italian Multicenter Octreotide Study Group.

High vascular morbidity and mortality is associated with acromegaly. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of octreotide therapy on several known cardiovascular risk factors and to correlate them with octreotide-induced hormonal changes. Lipid levels, LDL particle size distribution as evaluated by single vertical spin density gradient ultracentrifugation, apolipoproteins AI and B, lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] concentrations and apo(a) phenotypes were evaluated in 20 non-diabetic acromegalic patients (6 M, 14 F), with normal thyroid, adrenal and gonadal function, aged 29-66 years. Normal subjects (20), matched for age, sex and BMI served as control for lipid variables. Acromegalic patients were characterized by lower HDL cholesterol (and apoA-I) and by higher Lp(a) concentrations in comparison to controls. Treatment with octreotide (100 microg t.i.d. for 3 months) led to: an increase in HDL cholesterol (median: + 22%), a decrease in LDL cholesterol (-14%) and a decrease of the Lp(a) levels (all phenotypes) (-28%). The expected decreases of IGF-I levels (median: -48%) and 7-h AUC of GH (-50%), insulin (-40%) and glucagon (-20%) were observed. Only Lp(a) modifications showed a correlation with GH modifications. The study of LDL physical properties showed that acromegalic patients had smaller and/or more dense LDL particles, in comparison with normal controls (relative flotation rate, Rf: 0.40 +/- 0.03 versus 0.42 +/- 0.02 P < 0q05), an alteration that might contribute to the high vascular risk of acromegalic patients. However, the LDL subfraction distribution remained unmodified during octreotide therapy (Rf 0.39 +/- 0.03). In conclusion, this study shows that in acromegalic patients octreotide treatment is indeed associated with an amelioration of some lipoprotein parameters, i.e. LDL, HDL, and Lp(a) concentrations. However, this treatment has no effect on the small and/or dense LDL particles present in these patients.

Effects of treatment with octreotide in acromegalic patients--a multicenter Italian study. Italian Multicenter Octreotide Study Group.

Treatment of acromegaly is effective in reversing the reduced life-span of patients only when serum growth hormone (GH) concentrations are lowered to less than 2.5 micrograms/l. Usual treatments achieve this goal in no more than 50-60% of patients. The effects of octreotide were studied in a prospective, open label study with 68 acromegalic patients enrolled in 10 Italian centers. Octreotide was administered sc at a dose of 100 micrograms t.i.d. for 1 year. After 3 months of therapy, octreotide was effective in decreasing serum GH levels below 2.5 micrograms/l in 16 out of 64 acromegalic patients (25%). Fifteen of them had pretreatment GH levels below 25 micrograms/l. Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels normalized in about 40% of patients. No further GH reduction was observed after 1 year of treatment. The presence of abnormal GH responses to thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) and gonadotropin-releasing hormone was reduced from 54 to 24% and from 16 to 12%, respectively. Tumor shrinkage was observed in 50% of 26 non-irradiated patients after 12 months of treatment. Both basal and TRH-stimulated serum prolactin levels significantly decreased in the 11 hyperprolactinemic patients. Although serum thyrotropin, free triiodothyronine and free thyroxine concentrations were not modified, a significant reduction of thyrotropin response to TRH was observed in the 9th month of therapy. In non-diabetic patients, an increase of mean blood glucose levels without modifications of fasting morning concentrations was found. About one-quarter of the patients with overt diabetes mellitus had an impairment of their metabolic control. Main clinical symptoms of acromegaly improved in 70-80% of patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Development and evaluation of a solid-phase enzyme immunoassay based on Andes hantavirus recombinant nucleoprotein.

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) with high mortality rate has been reported in five countries in South America. Rapid accurate methods are important both for monitoring acute infections and for epidemiological studies. The Andes virus nucleoprotein amino acid sequence has a high identity percentage compared with other sequences of this region and has been chosen for the development of diagnostic reagents. Andes nucleoprotein expressed in Escherichia coli was applied as antigen in IgG, IgA and mu-capture IgM enzyme-linked inmunosorbent assays (ELISAs). An evaluation of this reagent was conducted to establish its usefulness for differential diagnosis of HPS and seroprevalence studies. Samples from 135 reverse transcription (RT)-PCR-confirmed HPS cases, 77 individuals with other respiratory infections and 957 healthy inhabitants from endemic and non-endemic areas were analysed. The hantavirus-infected patients had an early and strong IgM, IgG and IgA serum antibody response, in most of the cases as early as 1, 7 and 1 days following onset of symptoms, respectively. IgM and IgG detection showed a specificity and sensitivity of 100%. Andes-specific IgM antibodies were found in all patients in the first available sample, which remained detectable for at least 43 days. Specific IgA antibodies were also detected in saliva of patients with acute HPS. The short duration of the disease and the risk for contacts due to person-to-person transmission of Andes virus necessitate the use of highly sensitive tests which might lead to earlier detection of infected people and improve the treatment and management of patients with HPS.

[Lipids of Candida lipolytica cultivated in n-alkanes by the industrial method ("Toprina")]. / Lipidi di Candida lipolytica coltivata su n-alcani con metodo industriale ("Toprina").

The following lipidic classes are examined in the present study: Total Lipids, Phospholipids, Neutral Lipids, Sterols, and Carotenoid Pigments from dried biomasses of Candida lipolytica grown on n-alkanes by industrial process following the BP technique ("Toprina"). The composition of the lipid classes examined in "Toprina" agree generally with bibliographic data about n-alkanes grown Candida lipolytica in batch cultures.

The oxygen affinity of normal human whole blood measured by double tonometry. I. P50 and n factor.

The Authors refer that the oxygen affinity, determined by double tonometry, in normal adult whole blood, is mainly expressed by a P50 of 26.13 +/- 4.31% and by an n factor of 2.63 +/- 6.63%. These results are in good agreement with those reported in the literature, but here are some doubts that pO2 and SO2 alone, i.e. the data drawn from all the tonometric procedures, can give a full idea of the affinity. In fact, this one is a complicate process, modulated by a number of allosteric effectors. Most of them, like pH, temperature and pCO2 can be always kept at a fixed standard level, whereas DPG, the main one, cannot.

The oxygen affinity of normal human whole blood measured by double tonometry. II. pH-depending Bohr effect and DPG.

Following another preliminary work on the whole blood oxygen affinity, the Authors have found in this occasion normal values of the pH-depending Bohr effect in healthy subjects of both sexes and different age. Furthermore, the Hb decreasing causes in these cases also a P50 increasing which is mediated by raised DPG levels. However, while in the anemias this effect is constant, many exceptions have been found in physiological conditions. Since these ones have been mainly detected at the maximal DPG levels, the phosphate could modify the affinity not only as allosteric effector, but also by acting on pH and related equilibria as non diffusible free anion. These interferences are difficult to be calculated and often could disturb notably a correct use of the common mathematical model which describes the oxygenation.

Comparison of miglitol and glibenclamide in diet-treated type 2 diabetic patients.

The efficacy of the new intestinal alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, miglitol, and glibenclamide were compared in a 6-month double-blind controlled protocol involving 100 non-insulin dependent diabetic patients under diet alone. HbA1c levels (initially between 7 and 11%) were reduced (p < 0.05): -0.78 +/- 0.21% after miglitol and -1.18 +/- 0.20% after glibenclamide. The difference between the two treatments was not significant, although glibenclamide appeared to be more active than miglitol at 8 (p = 0.002) and 16 weeks (p = 0.01) but not at 24 weeks. Fasting glycaemia decreased after miglitol (8.7 +/- 0.3 vs 9.6 +/- 0.3 mmol/l, p = 0.005) and after glibenclamide (8.0 +/- 0.3 vs 9.1 +/- 0.3, p = 0.007). After miglitol, a decrease was noted after breakfast (p < 0.001) and lunch (p < 0.001). The same was true for glibenclamide (p = 0.004 and p < 0.001 respectively). A significant reduction in glucose incremental area during a standard meal test was noted at the end of miglitol (p = 0.008) or glibenclamide treatment (p = 0.04). Subgroups of nonresponders to both treatments were identified (10/49 with miglitol, 9/47 with glibenclamide). Side effects were recorded in 10 patients treated with miglitol (flatulence and meteorism, diarrhoea, 1 discontinued therapy) and in 10 treated with glibenclamide (asthenia, sensation of hunger). This study indicates that miglitol is suitable for initial application in diet-resistant Type 2 diabetic patients, providing, a persistent effect and acceptable side effects.

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome outbreak in Argentina: molecular evidence for person-to-person transmission of Andes virus.

An increase of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) cases around a southwestern Argentina town and in persons living 1400 km away but in contact with those cases was detected during the spring of 1996. In order to evaluate person-to-person transmission we compared the homology of PCR-amplified viral sequences of 26 Argentine and Chilean cases. Sixteen of them were epidemiologically linked cases and had the same sequence (Epilink/96) in the S segment 3' noncoding region and in the M segment partial G1 and G2 region (a total of 1075 nucleotides). Contrarily, two geographical and contemporary but nonepidemiologically related cases differed from Epilink/96 in the compared regions. No significant differences, such as glycosylation or hydrophilic pattern, were found between Epilink/96 and the other sequences. Nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequence homologies between samples from southern Argentina and Chile ranged from 90.9 to 100% and 96.4 to 100%, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all the analyzed southwestern viruses belong to the Andes lineage. Although human infection principally occurs via inhalation of contaminated rodent excreta, our results with Andes virus show the first direct genetic evidence of person-to-person transmission of a hantavirus.

Pituitary glycoprotein hormones in chronic renal failure: evidence for an uncontrolled alpha-subunit release.

Chronic renal failure affects the secretion of pituitary glycoprotein hormones by mechanism(s) that are still unknown. In this study, we evaluated serum concentrations of TSH, free thyroid hormones (FT4, FT3), LH, FSH, testosterone (T), and alpha-subunit (alpha-SU) in 25 uremic patients (19 males and 6 females), both in basal conditions and after stimulatory and inhibitory tests. Basal TSH levels were in the normal range, while FT4 and FT3 were significantly lower than in controls. Basal LH and FSH levels were clearly elevated. The LH levels measured by RIA were significantly higher than those measured by a "two-site" IRMA (48.9 +/- 16.5 vs 18.0 +/- 8.6 U/L) due to alpha-SU cross-reactivity in RIA. FSH bioactivity was normal in all patients. Serum T was normal in all but 3 males, without any correlation with LH and FSH levels. Serum alpha-SU concentrations were significantly elevated (5.5 +/- 3.0 vs 0.4 +/- 0.2 microgram/L). Of 17 patients, the TSH response to TRH was normal in 9 and impaired in 8, whereas alpha-SU response was normal in 5 and impaired in 12. In 8 male patients, TRH plus GnRH caused a normal LH and FSH response in 4 patients, while the increase of alpha-SU was normal in only one patient and significantly lower than expected in subjects with comparable basal alpha-SU levels in the remaining 7. In 2 patients, the combined suppression test with T undecanoate and T3 completely blocked TSH secretion and reduced both LH and FSH release by 30%, while serum alpha-SU levels did not change.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)